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lecture by pharmacist - should I be honest with nurse?

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I just got lectured at very loudly in front of lots of people about eating healthily, after getting (mistakenly) into a conversation and wanting to check out the price of test strips. She went on and on and on and I just didn't know how to extricate myself without being rude.

It happened because I wanted to buy more test strips (until I saw the price at £27) and she then went on to tell me that I didn't need to test more than twice a day. From there she started giving me dietary advice and asking what kind of advice I had had from the doctors. She then went on to tell me how 'brown' carbs are healthy - and I said to her that they still raised my blood sugar levels too high. She asked what I had for breakfast and I said either yoghurt, coconut and berries or an omelette. This didn't satisfy her and she said that yoghurt wasn't enough and that coconut had too much fat - that I should have wholegrain cereal - or if I have an omelette only make it with one egg only (eyeing me rather critically I think as I have a lot of weight to lose!). As I was rather frustrated with her I said that the dietary advice given by the NHS for diabetics is out of date and mentioned that I had found better information on an internet forum (here) and that the advice was more up to date in the States and Sweden. This seemed to get her going even more and she warned me very strongly about staying off the internet and said that all Americans are mad!

Given her negative reaction, I am wondering if its wise to be honest and share what I am doing with the diabetes nurse or my gp. All I am doing is low carbing and testing my blood sugars - when I have test strips - after meals. Have other people here been open with their doctor/nurse about low carbing and testing?
 
It is NOTHING to do with the pharmacist how or when you test. Or what you eat.

Nothing!!!!

Did the pharmacist also tell you you can get the VAT off testing strips for diabetes? and give you the form to claim the VAT back if you have already paid?

Grrrrrrr to the pharmacist

and hugs to you.
 
It would have been very amusing had there been an American in the shop........

We've discovered that, in our area, you have to be careful what you say about low carbing. Everyone here thinks we are quite mad. Carbs are good for you, everyone knows that! Low carbers are clearly potty.

Ju
 
I strongly believe I'm going to be shot down for my low carb diet tommorow at the DESMOND course but I'm going to fight my corner even if they throw me out!-As far as I'm concerned,if they label me potty-I'd rather be Potty and walk my Daughter's down the Aisle when I'm older! 8)
 
SweetHeart said:
It would have been very amusing had there been an American in the shop....
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The lawsuit would be massive and quite rightly so! :wink: classing Americans as 'Mad' is totally out of order in my book!
 
apple123 said:
Given her negative reaction, I am wondering if its wise to be honest and share what I am doing with the diabetes nurse or my gp. All I am doing is low carbing and testing my blood sugars - when I have test strips - after meals. Have other people here been open with their doctor/nurse about low carbing and testing?
Click to expand...

I had my first diabetic clinic last Friday, and was quite determined that I was going to be honest. I had all my ducks in a row and all my arguments ready. Shock one (in a nice way) it was my own and very trusted GP doing the clinic. Shock two (even better) when he asked how the hell I had dropped the amount of weight I had, AND walked into his surgery (I was wheelchair bound with arthritis) I told him quite bluntly I had ignored all he said to me. I had bought a meter and was testing, and I was an Ultra low carber. He looked at me and smiled. I asked for test strips, he said yes, when my meter's strips were not available on the NHS he agreed to give me a brand new meter and strips. He also agreed to cover by prescription all my strips.

For me honesty really was the best policy. It's your body, your diabetes, your choices.

As for the Pharmacist b*****s!!
 
apple123 said:
I just got lectured at very loudly in front of lots of people about eating healthily, after getting (mistakenly) into a conversation and wanting to check out the price of test strips. She went on and on and on and I just didn't know how to extricate myself without being rude.

It happened because I wanted to buy more test strips (until I saw the price at £27) and she then went on to tell me that I didn't need to test more than twice a day.
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Does this pharmacist work for a chemist chain or is it a Doctor's practice pharmacy?
Just wondered as if she worked for a national chain or somewhere I'm sure the Customer services department would be very interested to know that she is in effect turning away customers by limiting sales of quite expensive items!!
It is nobody else's business if you want to purchase strips, they are not a controlled item so she has no right to try to deter a sale.
Obviously she reads the same literature as some of the health professionals!! :lol:

Regards
Angie
 
Thanks for your replies - I just couldn't believe it afterwards - I wondered if there was something about me that made her think she could just start telling me what to do in quite a patronising way! Perhaps it was because I have so much weight to lose. I think I will be more cautious in future.
 
One bad apple and all that Apple (that doesnt sound quite right does it :D ) dont think all pharmacists are bad just because of one individual, they are just like every other profession in that there are good and bad people. caring people and bullys.

I had a pharmacist tell me that I only needed to test once a week, and I was on insulin at the time :lol: But I still believe that most are very knowledgeable and extremely helpful in many ways always ensuring we get the right meds and that our doctors have not made mistakes, a second line of defence as at were :D

As for lying about your health, that is probably the single most stupid thing anyone can ever do, doctors can only diagnose by what they see and what they are told and it is always important to give them the whole picture, you may not like what you are being told especially if it conflicts with what you believe but at least your doctor will know what is going on and may just pick up on something that you have missed, a vitamin deficiency for example. Doctors can and will give advice but it is up to the individual whether to heed that advise or believe something different, by and large I think the vast majority of doctors are very caring individuals and whilst they dont have all the answers the advice they give on all subjects is given with the best of intentions.

Tell the truth and make your own mind up, but please bear in mind that much of what is written on the internet is as false as the advice that your pharmacist gave you. As with all advice we must sort the chaff from the wheat - even if you dont eat the wheat ;)
 
I would write a letter of complaint about her. I would not of stood there and be spoken to like that, I would of told her where to go and walked out.
 
Sid Bonkers said:
One bad apple and all that Apple (that doesnt sound quite right does it :D ) dont think all pharmacists are bad just because of one individual, they are just like every other profession in that there are good and bad people. caring people and bullys. )
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When I tried to pay for my first Metformin prescription, my local pharmacist demanded that I walk straight back into the Doctors and get him to give me an exemption form...

As a whole I think that pharmacists do an underrated job as front-line medical practitioners.

(I'd have chewed a strip off one who criticised my diet, mind you).
 
Sid Bonkers said:
But I still believe that most are very knowledgeable and extremely helpful in many ways always ensuring we get the right meds and that our doctors have not made mistakes, a second line of defence as at were :D
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Couldn't agree more Sid! If ever in doubt it's always best to check with a pharmacist first, I tend to use the same one all the time.
 
Hi Apple123!

The best response to this type of onslaught is 'Thank you for your concern. Do you have a manager I could speak to please?'

No-one should have to take that kind of abuse from anyone.

Smidge
 
Come on folks - we should be grateful for THAT PHARMACIST. I thought the account was so amusing and well written and just look at the response. Thankyou Apple 123
 
I would have asked if the pharmacist were a diabetic her/himself. And assuming not, tell them that you are doing "Fine thank-you"
As to buying strips, look up the supplier of your meter on-line and contact them . Many suppliers/manufacturers have a system of patient care that puts diabetic clinics into the shade. They sell strips,well below retail price, and provide meter care free. I have a Freestylr Lite meter from Abbott Diabetes Care and was recently given a free exchange, because the previous one had a fault [after years of use]. I just received my order for 2 packs of strips for which I paid just under 31 pounds, including P&P.
This time they were slow to arrive. It took 2 days, which I bet is down to the PO. It's usually a next morning thing.
Hana
Ps my pharmacy doesn't like to ell me Psuedafed, but accept I know what I'm doing.
 
Hi paul
Please let us know if you get expelled from the Desmond course Naughty boy :lol:
CAROL
 
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